KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 12: Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass in the third quarter of an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs on Dec 12, 2021 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)
| 1. | Kyler Murray | ARI vs. IND |
| 2. | Aaron Rodgers | GB vs. CLE |
| 3. | Patrick Mahomes | KC vs. PIT |
| 4. | Jalen Hurts | PHI vs. NYG |
| 5. | Dak Prescott | DAL at WAS |
| 6. | Tom Brady | TB at CAR |
| 7. | Josh Allen | BUF at NE |
| 8. | Matthew Stafford | LAR at MIN |
| 9. | Joe Burrow | CIN vs. BAL |
| 10. | Kirk Cousins | MIN vs. LAR |
| 11. | Justin Herbert | LAC at HOU |
| 12. | Lamar Jackson/Tyler Huntley | BAL at CIN |
| 13. | Derek Carr | LV vs. DEN |
| 14. | Tua Tagovailoa | MIA at NO |
| 15. | Taysom Hill | NO vs. MIA |
| 16. | Cam Newton | CAR vs. TB |
| 17. | Russell Wilson | SEA vs. CHI |
| 18. | Baker Mayfield | CLE at GB |
| 19. | Mac Jones | NE vs. BUF |
| 20. | Jimmy Garoppolo | SF at TEN |
| 21. | Ryan Tannehill | TEN vs. SF |
| 22. | Matt Ryan | ATL vs. DET |
| 23. | Justin Fields | CHI at SEA |
| 24. | Jake Fromm | NYG at PHI |
| 25. | Taylor Heinicke | WAS at DAL |
| 26. | Carson Wentz | IND at ARI |
| 27. | Ben Roethlisberger | PIT at KC |
| 28. | Trevor Lawrence | JAX at NYJ |
Combine Arizona’s dependance on Kyler Murray and the Indianapolis Colts being much more difficult to run against (4th ranked) than pass against (16th ranked) and you have a good reason for a top game from Kyler.
The same applies to Aaron Rodgers against the Browns, where Cleveland is average against the run (15th) and 23rd against the pass. But also, Aaron Rodgers in a home game in a week where the other game environments could get tricky is a higher floor.
The Baltimore Ravens are yet another team that demonstrates very different rankings against the run (5th) and the pass (28th) and have had injuries and absences in the defensive backfield. Joe Burrow is more than capable of taking advantage with his talented receiving corps.
On the other side, Derek Carr is the QB13 for the 2021 season and now gets a Broncos defense that is slightly overrated due to their slower pace of play, but is 21st overall.
If Chicago would let Justin Fields throw the ball downfield more, maybe he can take advantage of a Seattle Seahawks defense that is 29th against the pass. Between that matchup and Fields’ speed as a runner, he is worth a stream if you need a QB2 this week.
Jason Walker